Annually, heart disease is the number-one killer in our country for both men and women. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that heart disease accounts for one in every three deaths, an estimated 2,200 every day.
With research indicating 80 percent of heart disease is
preventable, Franciscan St. Francis physicians are passionate about preventing
and curing heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease, when they do occur, may
include shortness of breath, heart murmurs, severe swelling, heart
palpitations, chest pain, fainting, frequent falls, fatigue and/or decreased
endurance.
The event, which is free and open to the public, gets under way at 5:30 p.m. with a reception in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio St. Guests can enjoy an intimate viewing of one of IHS’s living history exhibits,You Are There 1939: Healing Bodies, Changing Minds, which offers a window into the career of African-American physician Harvey Middleton, MD, one of Indiana’s leading cardiologists and innovators in the field of electrocardiography in the early 20th century.
At 6:30 p.m., world-renowned cardiovascular
surgeon Marc Gerdisch, MD,
will discuss the treatment of heart
disease, heart murmurs and the latest the
therapies for heart disease during the “Ask the Doctor” Program.
Gerdisch is the chief
of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the St. Francis Heart Center, a partner of Cardiac Surgery Associates and the surgical director of
the Heart
Valve Center
and Atrial Fibrillation Center at Franciscan St. Francis Health. He is an independent physician who chooses to
practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health, and has presented nationally and
internationally on new technology in cardiac surgery and surgical treatment of
heart disease.
Qualifying attendees will be
able to sign up for a free echocardiogram at a later date
at Franciscan St. Francis Health, a $500 value.
To sign up for the event and learn about living a heart healthy life, call 1-877-888-1777 or register online at MyHeartCare.net. Attendance is free, but registration is required because seating is limited.
